Once the spines of the weever fish have pierced skin the venom is discharged. The effect of weever fish venom varies from person to person with some only suffering from relatively mild pain.
However, in others, the pain can be excruciating and the part of the body which has been stung can become red, inflamed and swell up.
There may also be numbness and in extreme cases there can even be localised paralysis for a short period of time. Usually, the pain begins to subside after a few hours and should be gone within 12 to 24 hours. Further complications will emerge if the spines have broken off into the wound, as they may need to be removed before the pain will subside.
If a healthy adult is stung by a lesser weever fish it is not usually necessary to see medical attention. The best course of action is to place the injured body part into very hot water as hot as the victim can stand without scalding as the venom is protein-based it is destroyed by heat.
If children, elderly people or those with underlying health issues are stung by a weever fish, or someone is having a particularly bad reaction to a sting, it can be wise to seek further medical advice, and going to hospital can be necessary if pain and symptoms such as swelling persist. On a busy beach lifeguards will be trained to deal with weever fish stings or refer the victim on to more advanced medical care if this is necessary. The NHS website has further information on what to do in the event of a weever fish sting — read it here.
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It's the bridge between human territory and a water body responsible for producing over half of the planet's oxygen. The weever fish is camouflaged in the sand, where it digs in, so that only the eyes, mouth and its venomous black dorsal fin project. Swimmers and beach-goers are being advised to watch out for a particular type of venomous fish, which can cause a very painful sting. In the past week there have been several reports of swimmers and people out walking along a number of Waterford beaches who have been badly stung when they step on a weever fish.
The weever fish spends most of its time buried under the sand. It is found all round the Irish coast but only in sandy areas where the water is warm, shallow and close to the mean low water tide line.
It is camouflaged in the sand, where it digs in, so that only the eyes, mouth and its venomous black dorsal fin project. Stings from the 15cm long fish can be very painful, and lead to swelling and reddening of the foot. Share facebook twitter email whatsapp. Lesser weever by Paul Naylor. Lesser weever fish Scientific name: Echiichthys vipera. One of the only venomous fish to be found in British waters, the lesser weever fish is certainly one to watch out for!
Species information Category Fish, sharks, skates and rays. Statistics Up to 15cm long. Conservation status Common.
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